Dunedin Tunnels trail

cycle and walking trail from mosgiel to dunedin

The Dunedin Tunnels Trail is a project to build a 15km cycle and walking trail between Dunedin and Mosgiel

In the 1870s NZ Railways built two tunnels that by 1911 were redundant. We want to open the Chain Hills tunnel and Lookout Point tunnels back up to walkers, cyclists, scooters, recreationalists, commuters, and tourists to see a special bit of our Victorian heritage and make it easy for us young or old to connect with each other. The trail will follow the old railway alignment between WIngatui and Caversham, which was in use from 1880 until 1910 It includes 2 currently disused Victorian Railway Tunnels.

The trail will provide an amenity that can be used by everyone. It will offer an alternative to commuting by car. It offers a flat dedicated walking and cycling route with no vehicular traffic connecting the fast growing town of Mosgiel to Dunedin city centre. It passes through and close to suburbs where many potential users of the trail live, such as Fairfield, Abbotsford and Green Island.

The Project

The trail consists of 3 sections that need to be completed. These sections will be worked on at the same time and opened when completed.

Section 1 Mosgiel-Abbotsford including the Chain hills Tunnel

Budget $TBA

Expected completion 2017/2018

provision of easements through neighbouring properties

surface preparation,, clearing, repairing of surface and gravel

provision of lighting in the tunnel and trail signage

provision of signage and on-road cycle route Mosgiel-Wingatui

Section 2 Abbotsford-Burnside

Budget $TBA

Expected completion November 2018

negotiation with KiwiRail of use of current railway corridor for the trail

trail surface preparation, gravel application

trail signage

Section 3 Burnside-Caversham including the currently disused Caversham railway tunnel

Stage 1:

Gain access to the southern portal of the Wingatui tunnel which is privately owned. Having negotiated over a long period we have been able to secure the property on Gladstone Road in conjunction with the DCC. An easement will be created over this private land before it is on-sold. Please note: this is still private land with no public access. We have agreement with the northern portal land owner for future access via an easement. We are negotiating an agreement with Kiwirail and DCC for access to the rail corridor between the tunnel and Abbotsford and Green Island.

How Can You Help?

Donate: Via our Givealittle PageLend us $: email us on Contact @ DTTT.org.nz and we will send you informationShare: our stories and be an advocate – tell people about the project - encourage them to donate or lend – every bit helps.

SUPPORTERS

The Dunedin Tunnels Trail Trust would like to thank the following people, companies or groups that have generously donated time or money to the development of the trail.

Dunedin City Council

Rotary Club of Taieri

Dunedin Amenities Society

All those generous individuals who were able to provide loans and donations for the project!

I first arrived in Dunedin for University, then following graduation and a few years away came back to raise a family. With the children now gone, I spend my leisure time split between gardening, MTB riding, and geocaching. An IT professional by day, evenings are spent following up on tunnels and reading mostly Science Fiction.

Started tramping in the Tararuas, came to Dunedin as a student and stayed. Joined the OTMC, tramping and XC-skiing Otago's block mountains, then with children and friends discovered the walking opportunities and history of our local area. Add in recreational mountain biking and geocaching. In my spare time I am a paper-shuffler in one of Dunedin's beautiful heritage buildings. Once the Dunedin Tunnels Trail is completed, you'll see me biking slowly out to Mosgiel for a leisurely latte!